The Chace

The Chace

The Chace is an 1897 residence constructed of brick with mock timber cladding and render to the first storey. It has stone dressings and is covered with a clay tiled roof. The building was extended and converted to a hotel in the early 20th century, though the extensions projecting to the east and south are not included in this listing.

The 1897 house faces west and is a linear building over two storeys, designed in a mock-Tudor style with timber cladding and projecting gables at first floor level.

The principal entrance is accessed via a two-storey entrance porch with a large four-centred moulded stone arch featuring ashlar stone quoins. Above the arch are recessed stone spandrels with relief carvings of acanthus leaves and animal figures, with a grotesque mask at the centre. Original timber doors remain in situ with exaggerated iron strap hinges in a buckle design. Fitted lamps stand to either side of the entrance. A brick stepped cornice above supports a curving oriel window with timber frame and leaded glass to the upper lights. Above the oriel is a projecting gable roof with timber bargeboards and timber cladding in a quatrefoil design at the apex. The porch has further ashlar stone quoins at its corners.

Behind the porch, at the centre of the building's original plan, is an octagonal cupola topped with a leaded ogee dome and a weathervane. To the right (south) is a recessed bay and then a further large gable with a large window and timber balcony at first floor. The gable projects slightly from the lower storey, which contains a large canted bay window with stone mullions and transoms and leaded panes to the two rows of upper lights. The window (currently boarded up as of 2023) contains some subtle sections of stained glass and retains its original cast iron window furniture. To the left (north) of the entrance porch is the stair window with leaded glass containing shields dated '1897', along with the initials 'A I' and 'C W I'. Further to the north are two additional large gables connected via a first-floor veranda with timber balustrade. Timber window frames to both gables contain leaded upper lights.

The south and east elevations of the late 19th-century house are obscured at ground floor by 20th-century extensions (not included). The east elevation has a projecting range with a shaped brick gable and decorative chimney stack. Below to the north is a canted bay window with stone mullions, now partially obscured by later extensions. The south elevation has a large brick end stack with brick walling and moulded stone coping to either side, mirroring the shaped gable at the rear of the building.

Interior

The principal entrance opens to a small lobby with moulded mullion and transom windows containing stained upper lights to the north and south walls. Above both doors is timber cladding in a quatrefoil design. The lobby leads through two sets of glazed doors to a large entrance hall.

At the north end of the hall is a large staircase lit by the large stair window. There is a further small moulded stone window directly opposite at the east end of the stair, lighting a corridor beyond. The stair has a closed string and a large square post with a flat top and shaft with carved panels. The moulded handrail continues up the open well stair, supported by tapered splat balusters. Panelling exists beneath the stair and below dado height on the wall continuing to the first floor. The ceiling of the entrance hall is supported by mahogany three-centred arches with fluted pilasters and carved Corinthian capitals. Between the arches are decorative foliate plaster details. At the far (south-east) end of the hall is a large fireplace with an elaborately carved over-mantle contained within an enclosed area with splat balustrade and fixed seating. The mantlepiece, over-mantle and canopy are supported by carved columns with foliate detailing and scrolling capitals. The over-mantle contains a carved panel with flanking fluted niches. The fireplace is flanked by panelling and small single-light leaded windows with heraldic stained glass. At the north-east end of the hall is a series of office rooms behind a timber screen, with a modern bar along the north wall.

Beneath the stair at the north end of the hall is access to one of the principal reception rooms. This room has a large mahogany fireplace at its south end, extending the full height of the room and containing a central painted panel. The panel is surrounded by egg and dart moulding and pilasters with carvings and angelic figures as corbel heads supporting the cornice. Below the painted panel is a carved pediment with acanthus and beaded detailing, with further carved pilasters below featuring scrolling details and carved figures. The room contains a number of arches within the east wall creating recessed areas.

At the south end of the entrance hall is another principal room with a large arch and fitted cupboards on the south wall, which have replaced a fireplace in that location. A projecting bay is accessed via a further arch on the west wall. Original joinery and plaster details survive, including fluted pilasters with ionic capitals and moulded cornicing.

On the first floor, the stair leads to a large open landing with the splat balusters of the principal stair continuing around the room and below-dado panelling on the walls. The first floor contains several bedrooms serving the hotel use. A bedroom at the west end of the landing, within the projecting entrance porch, contains a mahogany fireplace with mirrored over-mantle with a cast iron grate featuring a foliate design. The fireplace has an egg and dart surround with decorative tiling to either side of the grate. A corridor with a moulded semi-circular arch to the south of the landing leads to further bedrooms. A room to the rear (east) contains a marble fireplace with folding iron grate and decorative tiles. To the south is a further room with original leaded glass and window furniture. To the front (west), some rooms have had their window furniture replaced in the 20th century and some fireplaces have been blocked. To the north of the entrance hall is a corridor leading to a large function room with glazed doors opening to the first-floor covered balcony. A small cast-iron fireplace is situated at the north end of this room. Some original joinery survives including skirting and dado rail, though other applied panelling is later. To the north of the function room is a further room with original window furniture.